Gulf Shores-based band Katawompus is the latest addition to the Hangout Music Festival lineup, thanks to a contest sponsored by the Press-Register’s BW entertainment guide, the festival itself, and radio station WZEW-FM 92.1.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Battle of the Bands was open to bands whose members were enrolled in grades 9-12 in Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia counties. The members of Katawompus attend Gulf Shores High School.

Junior Basch Jernigan, who plays guitar and sings, said the band was formed a couple of years ago by himself and two students who were then juniors. After they graduated, he recruited bassist Harrison Butler, a freshman, and drummer Aydan Closson, a sophomore, to continue the fun.

“I knew that we would be able to get something started, but I didn’t realize that we would bond this much and make it sound this good,” Jernigan said.

Gulf Shores High School Principal Ernie Rosado said the band has performed at various school functions and has even entertained at lunch, so Katawompus is well known to the school community.

“It’s outstanding. We’re ecstatic,” he said. “These three young men have done a great job at school. They’re good students and they know what they’re doing and they do it right, so we’re really proud of them.”

The trio’s path to victory began when teachers told him about the contest and urged him to participate, Jernigan said. But the real turning point came when Roger Strick, the father of a friend and Jernigan’s guitar mentor, offered to record the performance video needed for the contest.

The resulting video, shows the trio playing “Face Down,” a midtempo rock song with a funky, bluesy feel accentuated by a harmonica solo. Jernigan said the song has more of a rock edge than some of the band’s material, but generally represents its blues-based sound well.

As a result of its win, the group will perform at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, May 21, on the festival’s Grooveshark Stage. They’ll be followed by Civil Twilight, a South African rock trio. The Grooveshark Stage’s Saturday headliner is long-running hard rock act Motorhead.

According to contest organizers, Katawompus “was selected by a panel of judges including music industry executives, organizers of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and the producers of the Hangout Music Festival.”

In addition to the performance slot, the band’s prize package includes recording gear and instruments, and a recording session on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus during the festival. Their school also will receive a donation of gear and instruments.

Rosado said he didn’t have full details, but was encouraged by a conversation with Hangout Fest founder Shaul Zislin.

“I just talked to Shaul a few minutes ago, from the Hangout, and he was telling me we’re getting some band equipment, and mics and guitars,” Rosado said. “He says it’s a pretty good package.”

Jernigan likewise said he hadn’t heard full details of the prize material, but said that didn’t dampen his excitement.

“The main thing we’re just really excited about is getting a chance to play down on the beach in front of all those people,” he said.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a rolling multimedia studio and classroom that will be present at the Hangout Music Festival. For more information, visit www.lennonbus.org.